Cascade Crew

Jules91Z28 · New Member Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 21

les schwab tried to get me to sype the tires , not sure if thats how it was spelled.. Is this a sales gimick or should I go back and have them do it , after spending almost 600 was thinking another 50 for that I wasnt sure if it was worth it since I had the same tires before they offerd this service. Thanks for any advise

PonchoTA · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject:

It's a technique of cutting the tread to give you better grip in the snow without having to get studs.

It is useless in my opinion as all you really need is to know how to drive well (and know when NOT to drive!)

P.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:54 pm Post subject:

I had the tires on my old Jimmy Syped and I swear I got worse traction on damp pavement! DO NOT DO IT! The tires come from the factory just fine!

kidcamaro · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:56 pm Post subject:

i think its just a gimmick. i wouldnt do it either.

85 T/A WS6 · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject:

I siped the tires on my Yukon. The process is not for offroad only however, but I do agree with Ponch that you cant substitute good tires for good driving.

Read these 2 reviews and draw your own conclusions:

http://www.can4x4.com/articles/siping.html

http://affordable-tire.com/customer/pages.php?pageid=10

My tires were siped brand new so I cant compare using a before and after scenario. After reading the tech data it does make sense and I can see why physically it works.

Jules91Z28 · New Member Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 21

thanks for all the replies , I dont drive in snow at all ,it just doesnt stick around here long enough for me to worry about driving in it. And I tested out the tires today in the rain and get great traction so I am not going to do it , I was just worried had never heard of it and didnt want to fall for a gimick like special air that makes them last longer or somthing... and being a girl fall for something stupid lol thanks again ... jules

Flyte risk · Member Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Aloha OR

OK, I'll buck the trend here.

In my personal and professional experience siping the tires works. However only for certain road conditions and certain tread patterns.

I won't get technical here so the basic rundown is this:
For an off-road, lug style tread design it's a waste of money. No benifit at all unless your hauling heavy loads long distances in hot weather. For a street or performance style pattern siping will improve wet traction some, not much. Where it will show is if you encounter ice. Driving on ice flat sucks and every advantage you can get to be able to stop as well as accelerate is worth something. I'm more then just convinced that siping works, and works well on icey roads.

The part you have to answer is how often do you encounter icey roads and is the $50 worth whatever percieved insurance you get?

FWIW, here in Portland I don't sipe. When I lived in an area that got close to 4' of snow a year I had it done.

Jules91Z28 · New Member Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 21

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2320

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but, I agree with Mike. Ice is where the siping works well. After driving 50 miles to work on the ice this morning I wish I had mine siped. Laughing

Can always tell how slick it is by the number of cars in the ditch on the 15 miles stretch of road between here and my parants house. 5 this morning means pretty darn slick. Very Happy

Glenn91L98GTA · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:12 pm Post subject:

In Kamloops, snow and ice is common. We have a fair amount right now and all the roads are covered in snow and ice. A good set of ice radials are the best.